In school, we always have to go through emergency drills, in case there comes a day when there really is an earthquake or fire, or acid chemical spill. But, we never really take it seriously, because we know it's a drill - we expect it.
But, when I found out about the Zimbabwe plane crash being a false alarm, I wasn't really sure what to think. To be quite honest, I didn't think it was such a bad idea. People, as I've observed as of late, have become too comfortable. The threat of terrorism isn't looming over citizens of the world, as it did right after 9/11. I'm glad that the panic is gone and lives are slowly returning to normal, but 9/11 did happen. Terrorism is still there - large and active. People still want to kill and hurt Americans. Tensions haven't dissipated. And I think this plane crash drill was a small jolt to the people, possibly reminding them that anything could happen at any time.
Yes, it was a bit frightening and perhaps more officials involved could have been notified beforehand, but ultimately, the drill did its job. It tested the readiness of emergency crews and troops. The only worry I have is this: the boy who cried wolf. I just hope that these drills don't occur so often, that when something truly terrible happens, we all don't just shrug it off, thinking it's another drill.
Bottom line: wake up, people. It's not over yet.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Change
Our world is constantly changing. New technology. New babies being born. New books being written. New laws being passed.
Some people accept change, and some reject it. In 7th grade, my school required us to read Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451". I can't remember 100% all the details, but I did remember that I quite enjoyed the book. That and Orwell's "Animal Farm" were both about challenging society's norms. There was a Los Angeles Times' article on Ray Bradbury and his infamous vendetta against large government and systems meant to control and regulate people; he also criticizes technology.
In a way, I agree that technology is essentially an all-too-large part of our lives; I'm no exception. I love my laptop, my iPhone, my digital camera, my iPod...television (maybe). But, a few weeks ago, my dad brought up the idea that in several decades, even all books would go electronic - like the Kindle. I don't really have a Kindle, though my mother has one she never uses, but I'm not a huge fan of it. I love reading, don't get me wrong, but I like the feel of pages. And, I absolutely adore collecting books on my bookshelf...it completes my room. I love my technology as much as the next person, but just like anything else, too much of anything is never a good thing.
But, that's when I started thinking about the overall theme of change. Is it good? Is it bad?
Gay marriage. It's going to be a part of everyone's lives and it's going to be legal everywhere, soon enough. So, we have to just accept it, as my dad says. I guess as I keep thinking about it, the more I'm okay with it. It's not interrupting my life, and it's not ruining my life either. Gay marriages are just kind of...there, like any other heterosexual marriage. I realized that there are much bigger things to worry about than trying to stand up to huge waves of change that are going to come whether we like it or not.
So, as I become a senior this year in high school, and as I write all my college applications, I really ask myself who I am. Who am I becoming? What do I stand for? What do I fight for?
And, these past few months of summer, I've become more accepting of things that are different from what I believe in.
I know what's right and wrong, but I also know that it's okay to just accept people - you can't control people. A smart old man of mine once said that.
Some people accept change, and some reject it. In 7th grade, my school required us to read Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451". I can't remember 100% all the details, but I did remember that I quite enjoyed the book. That and Orwell's "Animal Farm" were both about challenging society's norms. There was a Los Angeles Times' article on Ray Bradbury and his infamous vendetta against large government and systems meant to control and regulate people; he also criticizes technology.
In a way, I agree that technology is essentially an all-too-large part of our lives; I'm no exception. I love my laptop, my iPhone, my digital camera, my iPod...television (maybe). But, a few weeks ago, my dad brought up the idea that in several decades, even all books would go electronic - like the Kindle. I don't really have a Kindle, though my mother has one she never uses, but I'm not a huge fan of it. I love reading, don't get me wrong, but I like the feel of pages. And, I absolutely adore collecting books on my bookshelf...it completes my room. I love my technology as much as the next person, but just like anything else, too much of anything is never a good thing.
But, that's when I started thinking about the overall theme of change. Is it good? Is it bad?
Gay marriage. It's going to be a part of everyone's lives and it's going to be legal everywhere, soon enough. So, we have to just accept it, as my dad says. I guess as I keep thinking about it, the more I'm okay with it. It's not interrupting my life, and it's not ruining my life either. Gay marriages are just kind of...there, like any other heterosexual marriage. I realized that there are much bigger things to worry about than trying to stand up to huge waves of change that are going to come whether we like it or not.
So, as I become a senior this year in high school, and as I write all my college applications, I really ask myself who I am. Who am I becoming? What do I stand for? What do I fight for?
And, these past few months of summer, I've become more accepting of things that are different from what I believe in.
I know what's right and wrong, but I also know that it's okay to just accept people - you can't control people. A smart old man of mine once said that.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Back to School
In less than 14 days, I will once again be sitting in a classroom for a majority of the day and doing homework every night - exciting. Actually, it will be, since most of the classes I'm taking are subjects I'm interested in...AND I am finally a senior. Go Class of 2011!
But speaking of schools, there's two things that bothered me today.
One would be this picture:
But speaking of schools, there's two things that bothered me today.
One would be this picture:
Source: Yahoo! News
I never knew that this is how you spelled school. S.H.C.O.O.L.
Great. Our society today at its finest, folks.
Second thing that I heard about today is the raping of a high school girl.
A high school male has been raping girls, especially freshmen Special ED girls, repeatedly - and the school did nothing. Oh, I stand corrected.
Someone wanted to walk this particular girl to the bus stop, to ensure that she wouldn't be raped again. NOTICE: She has already been raped. Instead, the principal of the school interferes. The principal doesn't contact the victim's parents or even contact the state police. Instead, the poor girl is used as BAIT to lure the creeper sexual offender and catch him. But MY OH MY, something goes wrong and they can't find the girl! They lose track of her! And she gets raped...again.
Another weird thing? The school never reported the earlier reports of rape at their school to the authorities. Fishy.
Maybe it's because I'm a female, but I can't STAND sex offenders - I feel more anathema towards them than murderers. But only slightly. This really is a great example we set for society. Really.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Can We Fix It?
Do you know that really annoying show called "Bob the Builder"? It's targeted towards young children under the age of 5 or 6. He always chants, "CAN WE FIX IT?", while his buddies say, "YES, WE CAN!". Well, building a mosque where Islamic extremist terrorists killed thousands of innocent Americans isn't going to fix the tension built up from 9/11.
It's kind of insulting, really. How does it help the families of the victims of 9/11 if this "Cordoba Initiative" builds this huge mosque two blocks away from ground zero? How does that make these poor people who have lost their loved ones feel better? All they'd remember is how much pain and suffering they endured - plus, they'd probably feel more angst and bitterness towards people of Islamic faith. I'm not saying EVERYONE would feel this way, I'm just thinking that maybe building a mosque - a place where the followers of Islam worship and pray, ONLY people who are Muslims, mind you - is kind of like a slap in the face.
After the Vietnam War and the Korean War, memorials and walls were built to remember the honorable people who list their lives. They didn't go and build a giant statue of Ho Chi Minh and put a United States flag and say, "We are remembering the people of the Vietnam War by building this statue."
Wake up, people. Who is this mosque really helping? It's not going to make anyone accept Muslims any more than we already do. It is inevitable that people are grouped into that category and associated, though unfairly, with the terrorist groups who claim to kill in the name of Allah. It's not right to stereotype, but it happens. Building a mosque isn't going to fix it.
Sorry, folks. We can't fix it by building a mosque.
It's kind of insulting, really. How does it help the families of the victims of 9/11 if this "Cordoba Initiative" builds this huge mosque two blocks away from ground zero? How does that make these poor people who have lost their loved ones feel better? All they'd remember is how much pain and suffering they endured - plus, they'd probably feel more angst and bitterness towards people of Islamic faith. I'm not saying EVERYONE would feel this way, I'm just thinking that maybe building a mosque - a place where the followers of Islam worship and pray, ONLY people who are Muslims, mind you - is kind of like a slap in the face.
After the Vietnam War and the Korean War, memorials and walls were built to remember the honorable people who list their lives. They didn't go and build a giant statue of Ho Chi Minh and put a United States flag and say, "We are remembering the people of the Vietnam War by building this statue."
Wake up, people. Who is this mosque really helping? It's not going to make anyone accept Muslims any more than we already do. It is inevitable that people are grouped into that category and associated, though unfairly, with the terrorist groups who claim to kill in the name of Allah. It's not right to stereotype, but it happens. Building a mosque isn't going to fix it.
Sorry, folks. We can't fix it by building a mosque.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Congratulations, Elena Kagan
Today, the Senate confirmed Elena Kagan as the 112th Justice of the United States Supreme Court; she's also only the fourth woman in the history of the U.S. to be a Supreme Court Justice. Apparently, the votes were casted as "ayes" and "nayes" - something that happens on special occasions when the Senate believes that this is a historical moment. I'm excited for soon-to-be Justice Kagan, and I wish her well in her endeavors. Woot! My feminist side shines right about now.
I can't help but notice that other people are noticing the Obamas' spending. In Spain, it's $2,500 a night for the First Lady, and there are about 70 secret service agents who have to be house, too. I laugh when Drudge Report calls Michelle Obama the next Marie Antoinette. The difference? Marie Antoinette was a style icon, and Michelle Obama is known for her ugly toes. On nydailnews.com's article regarding this matter, there's a poll that asks the readers: "Do you think Michelle Obama should ditch high life for more down-to-Earth image?"
64% of readers say, "No, she promotes positive living and the American dream of prosperity."
36% of readers say, "Yes, they tell people to save, yet they spend, spend, spend."
I don't understand how the majority of this poll's participants, even after (assuming) they have had read this article about Michelle Obama's lavish spending, can say that she represents the American dream. The American dream isn't all about superficiality and spending nights at lavish hotels/resorts, spending money that isn't yours, and still demanding respect. You have to earn that kind of respect.
Marie Antoinette and her husband were imprisoned and then beheaded for acting like complete political failures and spending all the money.
I don't think the Obamas will suffer that fate, but nevertheless - don't spend what's not really yours.
I can't help but notice that other people are noticing the Obamas' spending. In Spain, it's $2,500 a night for the First Lady, and there are about 70 secret service agents who have to be house, too. I laugh when Drudge Report calls Michelle Obama the next Marie Antoinette. The difference? Marie Antoinette was a style icon, and Michelle Obama is known for her ugly toes. On nydailnews.com's article regarding this matter, there's a poll that asks the readers: "Do you think Michelle Obama should ditch high life for more down-to-Earth image?"
64% of readers say, "No, she promotes positive living and the American dream of prosperity."
36% of readers say, "Yes, they tell people to save, yet they spend, spend, spend."
I don't understand how the majority of this poll's participants, even after (assuming) they have had read this article about Michelle Obama's lavish spending, can say that she represents the American dream. The American dream isn't all about superficiality and spending nights at lavish hotels/resorts, spending money that isn't yours, and still demanding respect. You have to earn that kind of respect.
Marie Antoinette and her husband were imprisoned and then beheaded for acting like complete political failures and spending all the money.
I don't think the Obamas will suffer that fate, but nevertheless - don't spend what's not really yours.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Happy Birthday
On Twitter, all I could see were people updating their statuses to say something along the lines of "YAY. PROP 8 IS GONE!" Yes, Proposition 8 - the proposition outlawing gay marriages - has been reversed by the San Francisco judge. In a way, I'm happy for the LGBT community, but overall, I can't say that I'm glad that Prop 8 doesn't stand.
But we all knew that no matter which way the decision went, this case would go up to a higher court - first the 9th U.S. Court of Appeals, then perhaps the Supreme Court. I don't think this conflict of accepting the LGBT community will ever end. I don't think I'll go into my views on homosexuality since I've done so before. In addition, I wouldn't want to ruin the fact that today is..
President Obama's birthday! Yay. Really. I'm ecstatic. Can't you tell?
But yes, Happy 49th Birthday, Mr. President. I'm glad to see that he could escape to Chicago for what Politico.com calls a "low-key" birthday celebration. My 11-year-old sister's friend texted her in the morning to say, "Happy bday obama!" My sister and I just rolled our eyes.
I wonder how President Obama feels about this step forward for homosexuals in California?
This article seems to say it all: NyMAG.
But we all knew that no matter which way the decision went, this case would go up to a higher court - first the 9th U.S. Court of Appeals, then perhaps the Supreme Court. I don't think this conflict of accepting the LGBT community will ever end. I don't think I'll go into my views on homosexuality since I've done so before. In addition, I wouldn't want to ruin the fact that today is..
President Obama's birthday! Yay. Really. I'm ecstatic. Can't you tell?
But yes, Happy 49th Birthday, Mr. President. I'm glad to see that he could escape to Chicago for what Politico.com calls a "low-key" birthday celebration. My 11-year-old sister's friend texted her in the morning to say, "Happy bday obama!" My sister and I just rolled our eyes.
I wonder how President Obama feels about this step forward for homosexuals in California?
This article seems to say it all: NyMAG.
Monday, August 2, 2010
On My Mind...
People need to stop talking on their phones sans Bluetooth. Talking on the phone is so obviously distracting and it annoys me that these people think it's okay to talk on their phones while driving and swerving in their lanes. I don't want to die because of some other person's failure to comply with the law. Thanks.
But, besides seeing people lobbying for the legalization of pot (i.e. Marijuana) this weekend, I hope Chelsea Clinton had a fantastic wedding - it was indeed her special day.
On another note, I'm happy to hear that President Obama is bringing our troops home within his new 19-month (as opposed to the original 16-month) timeline. The troop withdrawal will minimize the numbers from approximately 170,000 troops to about 30,000. These remaining 30,000 troops of brave men and women will be responsible for aiding in the continuing project of rebuilding Iraq and dealing with terrorist groups. All American troops will be out of there by the end of 2011, according to the agreement between former President George W. Bush and the Iraqis. After a long war, if you can really call it that, I'm glad these people are allowed to finally come home.
But, then of course I had to be reminded of the fact that President Obama has increased the number of troops by 30,000 in Afghanistan - it's a 9-year project over there, folks. I suppose the fighting never ends in this world, but I wish that the United States didn't have to so often be a part of it.
Nevertheless, I hope people don't continue to disrespect the troops fighting overseas by saying this fighting is futile - each man and woman is sacrificing his/her time and putting his/her life on the line for the United States of America.
I'm grateful....are you, America?
But, besides seeing people lobbying for the legalization of pot (i.e. Marijuana) this weekend, I hope Chelsea Clinton had a fantastic wedding - it was indeed her special day.
On another note, I'm happy to hear that President Obama is bringing our troops home within his new 19-month (as opposed to the original 16-month) timeline. The troop withdrawal will minimize the numbers from approximately 170,000 troops to about 30,000. These remaining 30,000 troops of brave men and women will be responsible for aiding in the continuing project of rebuilding Iraq and dealing with terrorist groups. All American troops will be out of there by the end of 2011, according to the agreement between former President George W. Bush and the Iraqis. After a long war, if you can really call it that, I'm glad these people are allowed to finally come home.
But, then of course I had to be reminded of the fact that President Obama has increased the number of troops by 30,000 in Afghanistan - it's a 9-year project over there, folks. I suppose the fighting never ends in this world, but I wish that the United States didn't have to so often be a part of it.
Nevertheless, I hope people don't continue to disrespect the troops fighting overseas by saying this fighting is futile - each man and woman is sacrificing his/her time and putting his/her life on the line for the United States of America.
I'm grateful....are you, America?
